New York Islanders News

lslanders vet hopes for turnaround
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February 9
New York Post
 
"The Islanders once promising season is on the verge of looking a lot like last year's debacle and the fact that the team's captain is hobbled doesn't help. "We need a spark from within," Doug Weight said yesterday at the Coliseum as the Islanders prepared to host Nashville tonight (7:00, MSG Plus, WMJC 94.3 FM). "This is the time we need the older players to lead the way a little bit and certainly I haven't done that." Weight, who opted against shoulder surgery to return this season, hasn't scored this year and has been part of a power play that has been held without a goal five straight games. Their current seven-game losing streak is the longest of the season and they have been held to ..."
'Light' dims on skidding Isles
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February 7
New York Post
 
"Islanders owner Charles Wang still does not know where he stands with his Lighthouse Project and the Islanders still are trying to figure out a way to win. After showing signs of life in the early part of the season, the Islanders (54 points) are now as close to last place in the Eastern Conference (five points) as they are to its final playoff spot after a 3-1 loss to the Hurricanes at Nassau Coliseum last night. That's what a season-high seven-game losing streak will do to a team that does not have a lot of offensive talent and is 0-for-19 on the power play in its past five games. "We need wins desperately," Matt Moulson said of the team's last four games before the Olympic break. "It's ..."
Hurricanes hand sinking Islanders their seventh straight loss
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February 7
New York Daily News
 
"Charles Wang confirmed Saturday night that GM Garth Snow has authorization to add payroll at the March 3 trade deadline if the Islanders remain in playoff contention. Now, if only their slip-sliding team would oblige. The Isles returned home following a winless road trip and extended their losing streak to a season-long seven games with a 3-1 loss to Carolina at Nassau Coliseum. The Isles, who have four games remaining before the Olympic break, have fallen to 13th place in the Eastern Conference - five points behind No. 8 Philadelphia, but just five ahead of Toronto and Carolina, who are tied for 14th. "We need wins desperately," winger Matt Moulson said. "We could basically determine the ..."
Tampa Bay Lightning beats New York Islanders 5-2
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February 5
St. Petersburg Times
 
"There was a stretch during the second period of the Lightning's game with the Islanders on Thursday night when Tampa Bay was pinned in its end for 2 minutes, 49 seconds. New York had eight shots, the last a goal. "The legs weren't bending. They were kind of cramping up," said Lightning defenseman Mike Lundin, on the ice the entire time. "It wasn't our best shift." It may seem nitpicky to focus on a small stretch of Tampa Bay's 5-2 victory at the St. Pete Times Forum, but it was the worst part of a poorly played game. "I don't even know if that was our B game," coach Rick Tocchet said. "You have to go down a few more (letters)." Steven Stamkos had three points, including two goals that gave ..."
Islanders waive Witt
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February 4
New York Post
 
"In another sign of the Islanders' youth movement, veteran defenseman Brendan Witt was placed on waivers today. NHL teams have until noon tomorrow to claim him or he will be sent to Bridgeport (AHL). Witt hasn't played since being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury retroactive to his last game Jan. 8, but made the trip to Florida with the Islanders and had hoped to return to action. The 34-year-old is in his fourth year on Long Island and is signed through next season."
Islanders to Hold Part of Training Camp in China
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February 3
New York Times
 
"The Islanders will spend nine days in China next September as part of their training camp, the team's owner, Charles Wang, confirmed Monday in an interview. The team will be in China from Sept. 14-23, with most of that time spent in Beijing, Wang said. The Islanders will also visit Harbin and Qiqihar in Heilongjiang Province in the northeast, the most popular area for winter sports in China. The trip will conclude what he called the team's "friendship tour" in Shanghai. "We have gotten approval from the N.H.L. Players' Association, the N.H.L. and the Chinese government, and they are welcoming us and are excited about us coming," Wang said. Wang said the Islanders would combine training ..."
Blanked Isles lose 5th in row
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February 1
New York Post
 
"The slumping Islanders couldn't get a shot past Tomas Vokoun, who must be sorry to see January end. Vokoun, the Panthers' goalie, stopped 33 shots to earn his seventh shutout this season and Florida beat the Islanders 2-0 yesterday. Jordan Leopold and Keith Ballard scored for the Panthers, who have won seven of 11. Rick DiPietro made 23 saves for the Islanders, who have lost five straight. Vokoun had four shutouts in January, with his previous one coming Jan. 23 against Toronto, when he made 39 saves in a 2-0 win. His seven shutouts this season are a career high. Vokoun and the Devils' Martin Brodeur are tied for the NHL lead in shutouts. "We played pretty well and we got the two points, ..."
Flyers win, underwhelm coach
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January 31
Camden Courier-Post
 
"If you weren't overwhelmed by the Flyers' 2-1 win Saturday over the free-falling New York Islanders, you're not alone. After watching Scott Hartnell and Danny Briere break out of scoring slumps, and Ray Emery turn in a sharp, 31-save performance, Flyers coach Peter Laviolette was surprisingly critical. "I thought we played a strong first period, and in the third period we were marginally better than the second," Laviolette said after the Flyers snapped a two-game losing streak and ended their homestand with a 4-2 record. "I guess the biggest concern I have is the way we started the second period. We were kind of flat, shift after shift. There's too much at stake." If the Flyers are ..."
Flyers outlast Islanders
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January 31
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"A disputed call led to a two-goal swing in the New York Islanders' favor yesterday, but it couldn't prevent the Isles from being the Flyers' proverbial punching bag. Again. Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell ended scoring droughts as the Flyers outlasted the Islanders, 2-1, and snapped a two-game losing streak at the Wachovia Center. It was the Flyers' 14th straight win over the Islanders, the longest current streak by any NHL team over an opponent. The victory also equaled the Flyers' longest winning streak against any team. They also won 14 in a row against Atlanta (2005-09) and Los Angeles (1978-81). The NHL record for consecutive wins against an opponent is 23, set by Montreal against ..."
Isles cannot solve Flyers
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January 31
New York Post
 
"The Flyers are one team the Islanders just can't beat. The Islanders' futility against the Flyers reached record proportions yesterday, as they fell 2-1 for their 14th straight loss to Philadelphia, tying an NHL mark held by numerous teams for consecutive losses against a single opponent. "They've obviously had a good run on us," Islanders coach Scott Gordon said. "It's only a matter of time before it turns the other way." Josh Bailey scored and Dwayne Roloson made 30 saves for the Islanders, who have lost four straight and five of six. Roloson started in place of Rick DiPietro, who was given the day off as he continues to recover from knee surgery. Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell scored ..."
Hurricanes storm past Islanders
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January 29
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"Eric Staal is playing his best hockey. Then again, so is Cam Ward. And if those two are going, scoring goals and preventing them as well as anyone in the NHL, one has to figure the Carolina Hurricanes have been at their best, as well. So it has been the past five games for the Hurricanes. A 4-1 victory Thursday over the New York Islanders at the RBC Center was the third in a row for the Canes, who have won four of the five. "I think it's fair to say that," Ward said. "We're making plays. We're not second-guessing. We're going out there and having some fun. It's good to see the guys clicking and playing well." No one is clicking quite like Staal. Since being named team captain Jan. 20, ..."
Isles' skid hits three in Carolina
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January 29
New York Post
 
"The Islanders had numerous scoring chances in the first period last night, but only once did they get the puck past Cam Ward. Ward made 26 saves and Eric Staal had a goal and an assist as the Hurricanes beat the Isles, 4-1, sending them to their third straight loss. Ward has only allowed three goals in his last three games. Matt Moulson scored his 20th goal of the season with 4:31 remaining to spoil Ward's shutout bid. "You give a team, no matter where they are in the standings, the type of chances we gave them, you're not going to win games," Moulson said. "They're a team that's hot. We knew that and we came out pretty sluggish.""
Busted jaw KOs Hillen 6-8 weeks
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January 28
New York Post
 
"Since being scratched from the first four games of the season, Jack Hillen had become one of coach Scott Gordon's most trusted defensemen and hadn't missed a match. That changed when Hillen took an Alex Ovechkin slap shot off of his face on Tuesday in a 7-2 loss. Considering the Capitals' winger has one of the most dangerous shots in the league, it should come as no surprise that Hillen, who managed to skate off the ice with some assistance, suffered a broken jaw. Hillen underwent surgery yesterday and will miss six to eight weeks as the Isles head out on a critical four-game road trip that starts tonight against the Hurricanes. "Jack's been playing some real good hockey for us, and for ..."
Washington Capitals beat New York Islanders, 7-2
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January 27
Washington Post
 
"The high-powered Washington Capitals had been forced to overtime by the plucky New York Islanders in each of the teams' previous three meetings this season. Alexander Semin and his teammates didn't let it happen a fourth time. Semin tallied twice in the first period, and the Capitals got goals from five others, including John Erskine's first in 109 games, as they humbled the Islanders, 7-2, and extended their winning streak to a season-best seven games. "I wouldn't say unstoppable, but they're in a groove," Coach Bruce Boudreau said. "Teams, whether you're in first place or 30th, at some point in a season things just seem to be working, clicking. Right now things are clicking for us. We ..."
Islanders' Hillen drilled in the face by Ovechkin slapshot
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January 27
New York Post
 (scroll down)
"Defenseman Jack Hillen was drilled in the face by an Ovechkin slapshot late in the first period. His face bloodied, Hillen stayed down for several minutes and had to be helped off the ice before being taken to a local hospital."
Islanders handed dose of Capital punishment
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January 27
New York Post
 
"Prior to last night's game at Nassau Coliseum, Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said of the Islanders: "People underestimate them and they shouldn't. I think they're a really good team and they scare me to death." Well, the Isles weren't very intimidating once the game started, losing 7-2 to the Caps. The Isles took their third loss in the past four games and tied a season high in goals surrendered. "They were tic-tac-toeing the puck around and made us look stupid," captain Doug Weight said. "It's disappointing. It's an eye-opener." After playing the Caps close in their previous three meetings, the Isles were out of this one quickly, as Dwayne Roloson was peppered throughout the first period, ..."
Washington Capitals melt New York Islanders, 7-2
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January 27
New York Daily News
 
"Alex Ovechkin didn't have to register a point to hurt the Islanders. The two-time NHL MVP was held off the score sheet, but his wicked shot struck defenseman Jack Hillen in the face late in the first period. That put a bloody stamp on deflating a 7-2 loss to the Capitals Tuesday night at Nassau Coliseum, which coach Scott Gordon termed "a reality check" for the Isles. "We left our goalies out to dry....They were tic-tac-toeing the puck around and making us look stupid. It's disappointing and it's an eye-opener," captain Doug Weight said. "We have to realize we just came through a streak where a lot of our wins were against top-echelon teams. We have to get back to square one starting ..."
Capitals Show Young Islanders What to Strive For
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January 27
New York Times
 
"Tuesday night's game at Nassau Coliseum was likely to be one-sided from the start, and that is indeed what it was, a 7-2 victory for a Washington Capitals team establishing itself in first place in the Eastern Conference over an Islanders team striving to stay on the playoff bubble. "This is certainly a reality check for us," Islanders Coach Scott Gordon said. Alexander Semin, one of the four top-line Olympians playing for the Capitals on Tuesday, scored twice unassisted in a first period that ended 4-1 for Washington. It was the seventh straight win for the Capitals, whose 3.81 goals per game are by far the most in the league. Several of their goals were of highlight-reel quality, as ..."
Sutton gives 'D' Islanders toughness
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January 26
New York Post
 
"As coach Scott Gordon pointed out yesterday, he's happy to have Andy Sutton back, regardless of what team the Islanders are playing. But it's particularly important to have the defenseman on the ice in time to add some toughness to the Islanders' attempt to thwart Alex Ovechkin, whose Capitals visit the Coliseum tonight (7:00; MSG Plus, WMJC). Sutton missed the Isles' last two games, the result of a suspension after he boarded Pascal Dupuis in Pittsburgh last week. Neither Sutton nor his coach was worried yesterday about there being any lingering effect in the aftermath of the hit. "It's not gonna change anything for me," Sutton said after practice at the Coliseum. "I'm gonna play hard. It ..."
NJ Devils overcame huge obstacles to beat Islanders
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January 24
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Somehow, the Devils won a game while allowing two power play goals on Colin White's major penalty and taking just one shot the entire second period. That one shot, which happenede to be a power play goal from Zach Parise on a deflection off Islanders defenseman Freddy Meyer, tied a team record. It was the fourth time the Devils have been held to just one shot in a period on the road. For the record, they failed to get any shots in the third period of a 2-2 tie with the Boston Bruins at the Meadowlands on Jan. 7, 1983. So how'd they pull this one off? "You win a game with that only shot. And then you don't give any in the third period and you have a chance to win," coach Jacques Lemaire ..."
Illness prevents Devils Yann Danis from starting against Islanders
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January 24
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Devils backup goaltender Yann Danis became ill after Friday night's game at the Prudential Center. Consequently, he probably lost a rare chance to start Saturday night's game against the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum. "We were thinking about it," said coach Jacques Lemaire, who revealed that Martin Brodeur would be in net against the Isles. "Danis, after the game last night, was sick. He stayed at home and drove here today. He feels better, but we're going to go with Marty." Danis was well enough to dress as Brodeur's backup. Rick DiPietro was set to start for the Islanders"
Bryce Salvador makes amends in NJ Devils' victory over Islanders
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January 24
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The Devils could not have been happier that it was defenseman Bryce Salvador whose wrist shot in the third period turned out to be the key goal in a 4-2 victory over the Islanders Saturday night at Nassau Coliseum. That's because Salvador knocked the puck into his own net on the Islanders' second power play goal of the second period. Jack Hillen's shot hit the right post and wound up in the crease. Salvador tried to clear it and accidentally put it in his own net. "It was just one of those goals where it hit the post and I didn't think Marty saw it," he said of goalie Martin Brodeur. "I was going to whack it and he did see it. He was going to put his glove on it. I'll remember that one. ..."
Salvador, Devs end Isles' streak
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January 24
New York Post
 
"There's still life in the Devils who are still standing. There are still lessons for the blossoming Islanders to learn. The Devils didn't solve their injury and scoring woes, but because of them, last night's 4-2 comeback victory at Nassau Coliseum is a major accomplishment. For the Islanders, the loss wasted a big break, and no team can afford to squander good fortune. "I hope we don't look back at this at the end of the season as the two points that cost us the playoffs," Rick DiPietro said after the end of the Isles' six-game home winning streak. The Islanders should have had the Devils demoralized and done, after turning around the evening by scoring twice during a major power play, ..."
Isles slip up, but playoffs still in sight
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January 24
New York Post
 columnist Jay Greenberg
"They are still out there, in numbers, in Long Island's bedroom communities. Of course, that's where Islander fans still largely sleep, as does their franchise, as do hopes to save it with a deal for a new arena. But after two Rangers games this year failed to sell out, every seat was filled at the Coliseum last night. About 1,500 tickets that were distributed by a roller hockey league helped, but so had a streak of six straight home wins, ended 4-2 last night by a slumping Devils team motivated by a shutout loss to the Islanders six days ago. "We stopped pushing the pace," said an unhappy coach Scott Gordon after the Islanders, who hit three posts and scored twice during a Colin White ..."
Devils end three-game losing streak with, 4-2, win over New York Islanders
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January 24
New York Daily News
 
"Within an hour, Devils defenseman Bryce Salvador went from goat to game-winner. After knocking the Islanders' go-ahead goal into his own net in the second period, Salvador made up for it in the third by scoring just his third of the season as the Devils snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory at Nassau Coliseum Saturday night. "It was nice for him and definitely nice for us," said Martin Brodeur, who made an unexpected 29th straight start for the Devils when backup goalie Yann Danis became ill before the game. "It was good to see him get that nice shot from the point and for us to get a few good bounces.""
Will NJ Devils turn to backup goalie Yann Danis against Islanders?
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January 23
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"It's back to the Island and the Devils desperately need to rebound from their shutout loss to the Islanders last Monday afternoon. With four losses in their last five games, coach Jacques Lemaire's squad cannot afford to play poorly Saturday night at Nassau Coliseum. "We didn't have a good game against them last time," Zach Parise said after Friday night's 3-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens at the Prudential Center. "I guess we need to redeem ourselves. At least give them a better game this time." Lemaire said he might start backup goalie Yann Danis. "We haven't talked about this but it's a possibility," he said. Danis said he did not know whether he would start. So, what do the Devils ..."
DiPietro learning to share
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January 23
New York Post
 
"Rick DiPietro was an All-Star in 2008 and remains the Islanders' franchise goaltender, but he also recognizes the fact that it will take time before he is treated like that again. That might makelife a bit easier for coach Scott Gordon, as he goes through the process of figuring out how to keep two goalies who are accustomed to being No. 1 netminders sharp and content. The notion of DiPietro competing for ice time is somewhat new to the former Olympian and top overall draft pick, but now is a reality as he comes back from knee surgery that kept him out for a year. "There's different circumstances now," DiPietro said after practice yesterday at the Coliseum, where the surging Isles will ..."
The Panthers Lose on the Island ... Nathan Horton Should be Fine
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January 22
Miami Herald
 
"It was somewhat of a surprise when Islanders coach Scott Gordon announced that his goalie on Thursday would be Dwayne Roloson considering his most recent past against the Panthers. Gordon must have known something. That, or he has been watching the Panthers offense the past few games. Florida's offense sputtered again Thursday, scoring just once as Roloson and the Islanders pulled out a 2-1 shootout victory at Nassau County Veterans Coliseum. The Panthers have just two goals in their past three games and have now lost two straight despite terrific goaltending from Tomas Vokoun. "We need to score goals in this league to win,'' said Stephen Weiss, who fed Nathan Horton for Florida's lone ..."
Florida Panthers can't solve Islanders goalie Roloson
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January 22
Miami Herald
 
"It was somewhat of a surprise when Islanders coach Scott Gordon announced that his goalie Thursday would be Dwayne Roloson, considering his most recent game against the Panthers. Gordon must have known something. That, or he has been watching the Panthers offense the past few games. Florida's offense sputtered again Thursday, scoring just once as Roloson and the New York Islanders pulled out a 2-1 shootout victory at Nassau County Veterans Coliseum. The Panthers have scored just two goals in their past three games and have now lost two in a row despite terrific goaltending from Tomas Vokoun. ``We need to score goals in this league to win,'' said Stephen Weiss, who fed Nathan Horton for ..."
New York Islanders prevail over Florida Panthers, 2-1, in shootout
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January 22
New York Daily News
 
"The frustration had been building all night with the Islanders, their fans and the referees. It only made their sixth consecutive home victory that much sweeter. Limited to just one power-play chance in the game when they believed they deserved more, the Isles thwarted a key Florida man-advantage in overtime before pulling out a 2-1 shootout win over the Panthers Thursday night before an ornery crowd at Nassau Coliseum. Rob Schremp and Matt Moulson beat Tomas Vokoun in the shootout, and Dwayne Roloson denied both of Florida's chances with pad saves as the rising Isles improved to 10-3-1 in their last 14 games. They tied Boston for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference, one point ..."
Isles win 6th straight at Coliseum
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January 22
New York Post
 
"The Islanders hardly played their best game of the season, but though they struggled to score and had several questionable calls go against them, coach Scott Gordon didn't see their confidence lag. "As upset as they might have been, there was a lot of positive emotion on the bench with our guys," Gordon said. "They felt it was our game." That was a feeling that didn't appear much last year at the Coliseum, where the Isles have now won six straight after last night's 2-1 shootout win over Florida. Matt Moulson scored the clincher in the 2-0 shootout, as Dwayne Roloson stopped both Florida attempts after making 33 saves in regulation."
Lightning claim Islanders' Thompson
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January 22
New York Post
 
"The Lightning have claimed center Nate Thompson off waivers today from the Islanders. Thompson has been a healthy scratch the past four and the Islanders needed to clear a roster spot to bring up defenseman Dustin Kohn from Bridgeport to replace Andy Sutton, who was suspended two games for a hit on the Penguins' Pascual Dupuis Tuesday night. Thompson had one goal, five assists and 39 penalty minutes in 39 games this season."
Bolts claim Thompson off waivers from Islanders
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January 21
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Lightning have claimed forward Nate Thompson off waivers from the New York Islanders on Thursday. Thompson is expected to arrive in Tampa later today, although it's not a certainty he will play tonight against Toronto. Thompson, 25, is a former sixth round pick of the Boston Bruins in 2003 out of Seattle in the Western Hockey League. The 6-foot, 207-pound native of Anchorage, Alaska, has played in 86 career NHL games since 2006-07, mainly with the Islanders. Considered a gritty third or fourth line role player, Thompson has three goals, 10 points and 88 penalty minutes in his career. In 39 games with New York this season, Thompson had one goal, five assists and 39 penalty minutes. With ..."
Hockey mourns Halligan
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January 21
New York Post
 
"As well as anyone, anyone, John Halligan personified the finest in New York hockey. The longtime Rangers and NHL public relations head and 2007 winner of the Lester Patrick Award passed away in his sleep yesterday at age 68. The tales are legion, and legend. He would invite grounded reporters to his house to watch Ranger road games with wife Janet, incredibly chase down a nobody rookie from the Herald-News in Passaic at his sister's Thanksgiving dinner in 1976 to deliver word of Rod Gilbert's "retirement," and facilitate, rather than limit, contact between players, management and press. "John Halligan was an institution with the Rangers, and is as much a part of the tradition and history ..."
NHL gives Isles' Sutton 2-game ban
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January 21
New York Post
 
"For a team not known for its physicality, Andy Sutton's hulking presence has been critical to the Islanders' recent success. But the Isles will be without the 6-6 defenseman for the next two games after the league suspended Sutton for his hit on Pascual Dupuis in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night. Sutton was called for boarding on the play, which came at 17:05 of the third period of the Pens' 6-4 win and resulted in a major penalty and a game misconduct after Dupuis was left bloodied from hitting the boards. He had to be helped off the ice. Sutton, who had a hearing yesterday, apologized after the game for the hit on his former teammate and said it was not "clean.""
Islanders making their move in Atlantic
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January 20
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"A popular notion entering this season suggested that the Penguins, Flyers, Rangers and Devils were all strong candidates to qualify for the NHL postseason, with the Islanders as the only Atlantic Division team without playoff aspirations. With more than half the season gone, however, the Islanders' rebuilding is ahead of schedule. Led by a trio of talented goaltenders and rookie sniper John Tavares, the Islanders entered Tuesday's game at Mellon Arena in the No. 8 position in the Eastern Conference. "I'm not really surprised at all," Penguins defenseman Jay McKee said. "They have a lot of good players and they have three good goalies. Not too many teams have that." Rick DiPietro, who ..."
Malkin, Penguins able to hold off Islanders
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January 20
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"Sidney Crosby recorded a six-point night and Evgeni Malkin produced a hat trick, including the game-winning goal, as the Penguins blew a three-goal lead but still managed to defeat the New York Islanders, 6-4, tonight at Mellon Arena. It was Malkin's fifth career hat trick. Crosby's six points ties a career high. Much of the first period was a reminder that the Penguins were coming off a lengthy road trip and that the Islanders had played the previous day. Neither team generated much in the way of cohesion or energy, instead settling for a barrage of offside infractions. Both starting goaltenders - Brent Johnson for the Penguins and Dwayne Roloson for the Islanders - were sharp in the ..."
Peca, 2002 gold medalist, retires
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January 19
ESPN.com
 
"Michael Peca, a two-time Selke Trophy winner, announced his official NHL retirement Tuesday, ending a 13-season NHL career that was highlighted by an Olympic gold medal in 2002. Peca, who turns 36 in March, had 465 points (176 goals, 289 assists) and 798 penalty minutes in 864 regular-season games with Vancouver, Buffalo, the New York Islanders, Edmonton, Toronto and Columbus. His feisty, two-way game was underlined by winning the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward in 1997 and 2002. "The game has given me everything I've got," Peca told ESPN.com Tuesday from his home in Buffalo. "I'll be forever thankful for the time I spent in the game. I don't think a day will go by ..."
Matt Moulson scores twice as New York Islanders shut down New Jersey Devils
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January 19
New York Daily News
 
"If Rex Ryan were coaching the Islanders, the parade route up Hempstead Turnpike already would be mapped out. No one else - least of all, coach Scott Gordon - is prepared to go that far just yet with the Isles. But they are ascending quickly up the Eastern Conference ladder, with Monday's eye-opening 4-0 home win over the first-place Devils the latest evidence that their doormat days, at the very least, are behind them. "It's huge for our confidence beating really good teams," breakout winger Matt Moulson said, "but we're trying to play the same way against everybody." Moulson scored twice to retake the team lead in goals (19) from rookie John Tavares, and Rick DiPietro was flawless in ..."
DiPietro loses the rust and shuts out Devils
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January 19
New York Post
 
"The Jets aren't the only team around here pulling off improbable wins. Less than a week after dismantling the Red Wings, the Islanders made easy work of Martin Brodeur and the Devils, beating the Atlantic Division leaders 4-0 yesterday at Nassau Coliseum. It was their fourth straight win and fifth in a row at home. And goalie Rick DiPietro continued his own renaissance, notching his first shutout in nearly two years. "It feels great," said DiPietro, whose previous shutout was on Feb. 21, 2008, against Tampa Bay. DiPietro, in the third game of his comeback after being sidelined for nearly a year following knee surgeries, played consecutive games for the first time since his return, after ..."
Isles' Tavares looks for more
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January 18
New York Post
 
"John Tavares skated yesterday in a Team USA jersey, the result of a bet he lost to Doug Weight when the Americans beat Canada in the junior World Championships last month. It could have been worse, since Tavares had just come off a game in which he snapped a streak of nine straight games without a goal. "It was nice to get one early," Tavares said after yesterday's practice at Nassau Coliseum, where the Isles will host the Devils today. "I'd have liked to have finished a few more chances though." Such is life for a top overall pick who is used to scoring goals almost at will. But his veteran teammates think the occasional trouble Tavares has had this year will eventually pay off. "It's ..."
Injury-ridden DiPietro finally starts at home
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January 17
Buffalo News
 
"An old face was back on the ice Saturday in the Nassau Coliseum as New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro started against the Buffalo Sabres in his first game at home since Dec. 26, 2008. DiPietro, who signed a 15-year, $70-million contract in 2006 that was openly reviled throughout the NHL, has gone through hip and knee injuries and had a pair of surgeries on the knee in the last two years. He played just five games last year and only one this year, a 4-3 loss Jan. 8 at Dallas. "Health is a main goal here but I don't want that to overshadow the fact I have to play well and have results," DiPietro said. "When you're back in the NHL, all that matters is wins. That's what's really ..."
Islanders edge Sabres in shootout
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January 17
Buffalo News
 
"Through deficits, flurries of opponents' shots and a parade of penalties, the Buffalo Sabres keep finding ways to collect points. The Sabres couldn't survive an extended shootout and fell to the New York Islanders, 3-2, Saturday night before 13,635 in Nassau Coliseum. But it was yet another game when they eked out a point after trailing by two goals. Ryan Miller made 36 saves — 20 in the second period alone — to keep Buffalo afloat long enough to rally. Mike Grier's goal at 15:54 of the second, just 21 seconds after Sean Bergenheim's redirection put the Islanders into a 2-0 lead, shifted momentum. Drew Stafford tied the game at 9:35 of the third period. "The guys dug in and battled hard ..."
DiPietro prevails in Coliseum return
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January 17
New York Post
 
"Rick DiPietro had not won a game at Nassau Coliseum -- or anywhere else -- since Dec. 26, 2008, so it probably shouldn't have been a surprise that it took three periods, overtime and eight rounds of a shootout for him to get one last night. DiPietro stopped Patrick Kaleta to secure a 3-2 win in the second game of his comeback from the knee surgeries that kept him sidelined for much of the past two years. "I can't tell you how good this feels," DiPietro said after the Isles won the shootout 4-3, the decisive goal coming from Trent Hunter. "It's satisfying, but there's still a lot of work to be done. You can't get complacent." "It's a huge weight off his shoulders," Isles coach Scott Gordon ..."
Rick DiPietro makes 32 saves in, 3-2, shootout win over Buffalo Sabres
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January 17
New York Daily News
 
"After missing over a year of NHL action because of knee and hip problems, Rick DiPietro has been anxious about getting his career back on track - so much so that he fought back tears on the ice Saturday night. In his return to Nassau Coliseum - and his second start of the season - the Islanders' franchise goalie turned away 31 shots through overtime, then stopped five of eight attempts in the shootout in a 3-2 win over the Northeast Division-leading Sabres. "I was trying not to cry on the ice," DiPietro said. "That's the one thing I told myself. I wouldn't cry. It's an emotional time for me. It's been a long time coming and it's been a rough road. Just to get the win was amazing." DiPietro ..."
DiPietro up for Nassau return
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January 16
New York Post
 
"Rick DiPietro has played just one game since rejoining the Islanders on their West Coast trip last week, and he has a chance to make his first appearance at the Nassau Coliseum tonight against Buffalo (7:00, MSG Plus, WMJC 94.3 FM). Because coach Scott Gordon's policy always has been not to reveal who his starting goalie will be before the day of the game, it will not be known until today's morning skate. But the Islanders' schedule is set to pick up again, with five games in the next eight days, so DiPietro soon figures to get plenty of work. After losing his first game last Friday against Dallas, DiPietro has backed up Dwayne Roloson the past two matches -- including Tuesday night's 6-0 ..."
Kovalchuk deal may tempt Isles
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January 15
New York Post
 
"The Islanders have managed to become relevant this season, despite the absence of an established goal scorer. But GM Garth Snow may be in the market to change that, if Atlanta's star left wing Ilya Kovalchuk is made available before the March 3 trade deadline, a source told The Post yesterday. Kovalchuk, who has 26 goals in 39 games this year, will be a free agent and is believed to be seeking a deal in the neighborhood of 12 years, $120 million -- which could be too rich for the beleaguered Atlanta franchise. It remains to be seen what Atlanta could be offered for Kovalchuk's services, but the Isles' No. 1 pick from a year ago, John Tavares, as well as Kyle Okposo figure to be ..."
Islanders throttle Red Wings
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January 13
Detroit News
 
"The Red Wings came into Tuesday night's game needing a win over the New York Islanders to move ahead of the idle Los Angeles Kings into the eighth spot in the Western Conference. Unfortunately for the Wings, they couldn't even manage to score a goal as they fell to the Islanders, 6-0. It marked the Islanders' second straight shutout of the Wings. Last season, the Islanders won 2-0 at Joe Louis Arena. It's the seventh time the Wings have been shut out this season, all in the last 23 games. It's also the third time this season a team has scored six goals against the Wings. Matt Moulson scored his 17th goal of the season, beating goaltender Jimmy Howard stick-side with a shot from the ..."
Islanders look like contenders in Red Wings rout
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January 13
New York Post
 
"A 6-0 score between the Islanders and Red Wings? A game stopped twice because of octopi tossed on the ice? No surprises there. Except that the Isles won, another sign that perhaps last year's cellar-dwellers aren't going away. "If you're not sharp against Detroit, it's going to be a long night," defenseman Mark Streit said after the team's most convincing win of the year and fourth in its past five games. The Isles outshot Detroit, 31-16, and allowed very few quality shots against Dwayne Roloson, who notched his first shutout of the season. "That's one of the best games I've ever seen against Detroit," Roloson said. "I've been playing in the West for 11, 12 years. I see these guys a lot." ..."
New York Islanders thrash Detroit Red Wings, 6-0, with a little Squid Pro Quo
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January 13
New York Daily News
 
"The octopi were flying at Nassau Coliseum, but this was more a case of Squid Pro Quo. The Detroit tradition of tossing an octopus on the ice got some Long Island seasoning Tuesday night, as a couple of dead mollusks had to be scraped up during the surging Isles' 6-0 thumping of the Red Wings. "I've played Detroit a lot in my career," marveled 40-year-old goalie Dwayne Roloson, who made 16saves for his first shutout of the season. "And that's one of the best games I've ever seen anyone play against them." Yes, the Red Wings, who suddenly have been blanked five times in 16 games, flew directly here following a four-city, West Coast trip. But as Mark Streit noted, the Isles also returned home ..."